GDP measures the total value of final goods and services produced by domestic institutional units during the period. The current Benchmark Year for Japan GDP is 2011=100.

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) produces both real and nominal GDP, classified by economic activity. The industries are classified using 2011 as their benchmark year for "Input-Output Price Index of the Manufacturing Industry by Sector."

The data also includes the statistical discrepency associated with GDP, and GDP without the discrepency. However, for chained GDP, statistical discrepency cannot be defined.

Transactions coverage: All resident household and legal entity institutional units are covered in the source data by using supply-side’s commodity-flow method.

Geographical coverage: The data cover the entire Japanese economy. The delineation of the constituent units of the economy is broadly in accordance with the SNA 2008.

Annual supply and use tables are compiled. In addition, annual input-output tables, consistent with the final annual national accounts data, are compiled, along with the detailed five-yearly benchmark input-output tables compiled as a joint project between ESRI and nine other ministries and agencies. Furthermore, institutional sector accounts are compiled on an annual basis, inclusive of financial flow accounts and balance sheets. Aggregated capital stock data are also compiled.

Source data definitions, scope, classifications, valuation, and time of recording

Major sources are shown below. Some source data are not consistent with the definitions, classifications, and requirements of the national accounts, and they are adjusted before used in the compilation.

The revision cycle is stable from year to year. The preliminary quarterly estimates are revised with each new release, incorporating revisions to the source data. Annual revisions take place about 9 month after the reference fiscal year. Except for the benchmark revisions which take place every fifth year, the annual and quarterly data become final with the second release of annual revisions about 21 months after the reference fiscal year. However, as the seasonal factors are recalculated every quarter, the seasonally adjusted quarterly data will show minor changes with each new release.

At the time of data release, it is clearly stated whether released data are first preliminary, second preliminary, or revised annual estimates. When revisions outside the regular cycle are made, they are explained in the published materials and on the ESRI website “Notice on Usage.”